The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Since 1937, our principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts have informed smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels. For over 80 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity.

How Much Does Your State Collect in Property Taxes per Capita?

March 11, 2020

Janelle Cammenga

Janelle Cammenga

Property taxes are an important source of revenue for local and state governments. In fiscal year (FY) 2017 (the most recent year of data available), property taxes generated 31.9 percent of total U.S. state and local tax collections and 72.1 percent of local tax collections. Local governments rely heavily on property taxes to fund schools, roads, police departments, and fire and emergency medical services, as well as other services associated with residency or property ownership.

On average, state and local governments collected $1,617 per capita in property taxes nationwide in FY 2017, but collections vary widely from state to state. The highest state and local property tax collections per capita are found in the District of Columbia ($3,496), followed by New Hampshire ($3,307), New Jersey ($3,276), Connecticut ($3,020), New York ($2,902), and Vermont ($2,670). The lowest collections per capita are found in Alabama ($582), Oklahoma ($730), Arkansas ($740), New Mexico ($792), and Kentucky ($831).

This map can only tell so much, as property taxes vary not only from state to state but also within states. While those with high property taxes are not celebrating these payments, it’s important to remember that property taxes are largely rooted in the “benefit principle,” meaning that the amount of tax paid is roughly commensurate with the value of public benefits received. Police and fire services, for instance, are, among other things, protection against loss of property—and the cost of private insurance and security services rises as the value of the protected property increases. At the same time, good local public services can make municipalities more desirable, thereby increasing residential property value. As such, higher property taxes tend to be found in urban and higher-income areas.

Property tax collection practices also vary from state to state, and sometimes within states. While some jurisdictions impose a rate or millage on the fair market value of property, others impose property taxes on some percentage (the assessment ratio) of the property’s fair market value, yielding an assessed value, with different assessment ratios for different classes of property (like residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural). In some cases, moreover, agricultural and occasionally commercial property can be assessed on something other than fair market value, like the property’s income-producing potential.

Note: This is part of a map series in which we examine the primary sources of state and local tax collections.

OECD Report: Tax Revenue in African Countries

Legal Sports Betting One Step Closer in Ohio

Help us achieve our vision of a world where the tax code doesn't stand in the way of success.

The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy nonprofit. Since 1937, our principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts have informed smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels. For over 80 years, our goal has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity.